Flossing tool

ABSTRACT

A flossing tool includes a handle, first and second arms, first and second retention pads, a supply of floss string, and a cutting notch. The handle is fabricated with a handle cavity to store the supply of floss string. The first and second arms extend outward from each other and from a first end of the handle in a U-shape. The first arm has a first arm cavity and the second arm preferably has a second arm cavity. Each arm preferably has an upward curvature along its length. A first retention pad is formed on a first end of the first arm and a second retention pad is formed on a second end of a second arm. A deep groove is formed around the periphery of the junction between each retention pad and a first end of each arm. A string hole is preferably formed adjacent the first retention pad. An end of the floss string is inserted through the string hole. The string hole is located adjacent the first retention pad to reduce the amount of dexterity required to wrap the floss string around the deep groove on the first arm. The cutting notch is located on a second end of the handle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to devices for flossing teethand more specifically to a flossing tool which is designed to reduce theamount effort required to attach floss string to the flossing tool.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Currently there are numerous tools for flossing teeth. However, many ofthe flossing tools have one or more drawbacks. Some of the drawbacksinclude complicated designs which are expensive to manufacture; requirea relatively high amount of dexterity to wrap the floss string; and havea tool that is difficult to manipulate.

Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for a flossing toolwhich is inexpensive to manufacture, does not require a high amount ofdexterity to wrap the floss string, and is not difficult to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a flossing tool which is inexpensive tomanufacture and does not require a high amount of dexterity to use. Theflossing tool includes a handle, first and, second arms, first andsecond retention pads, a supply of floss string, and a cutting notch.The handle is fabricated with a handle cavity to store the supply offloss string. The first and second arms extend from a first end of thehandle and outward from each other in preferably a U-shape. The firstarm has a first arm cavity and the second arm preferably has a secondarm cavity. Each arm preferably has an upward curvature along itslength. A first retention pad is formed on a first end of the first armand a second retention pad is formed on a first end of the second arm.

A deep groove is formed around the periphery of the junction betweeneach retention pad and a first end of each arm. A string hole ispreferably formed adjacent the first retention pad. An end of the flossstring is inserted through the string hole. The string hole ispreferably located adjacent the first retention pad to reduce the amountof dexterity required to wrap the floss string around the deep groove onthe first arm. The cutting notch is located on a second end of thehandle. After a length of floss string has been used, it may be cut offon the cutting notch.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide aflossing tool which is inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flossingtool which does not require a high amount of dexterity to wrap the flossstring.

Finally, it is another object of the present invention to provide aflossing tool which is easy to use.

These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flossing tool in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a flossing tool in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a flossing tool in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 3a is an exploded side view of a flossing tool fabricated from twopieces in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of a first end of an armof a flossing tool in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4a is an enlarged side view of the junction between a first end ofa arm and a retention pad of a flossing tool in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section of a deep groove of a retention padof a flossing tool in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a cutting notch of a flossing tool inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged end view of a cutting notch of a flossing tool inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top view of a flossing tool with floss string attachedthereto in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there isshown a perspective view of a flossing tool 1. With reference to FIGS.2-4, the flossing tool 1 includes a handle 10, first arm 12, second arm13, first retention pad 14, second retention pad 15, supply of flossstring 16, and cutting notch 18. The handle 10 is fabricated with ahandle cavity 20 to store the supply of floss string 16. A grip 11 ispreferably disposed on the first end of the handle 10. The first andsecond arms extend outward from a first end of the handle 10 and fromeach other in preferably a U-shape. The first arm 12 has a first armcavity 22 which communicates with the handle cavity 20 to allow flossingstring 16 to flow through a string hole 24. The second arm 13 preferablyhas a second arm cavity for ease of manufacturability. With reference toFIG. 3, both arms preferably have an upward curvature along theirlengths relative to the top of the handle 10 to reduce the amount ofdexterity required to manipulate thereof during use.

With reference to FIG. 3a, the flossing tool 1 is preferably fabricatedfrom a first half 17 and a second half 19. The use of two halves makesit possible for the handle cavity 20 to be formed in the handle 10 andthe first arm cavity 22 to be formed in the first arm 12. The first andsecond halves are preferably fabricated from a molded plastic. If moldedplastic is used, the halves are assembled to each other using glue,sonic welding, or any other suitable assembly process. Preferably, theplastic is a type which is flexible enough to allow the first and secondarms to be bent toward each other such that they touch. The flexibilityof the first and second arms allows the flossing tool 1 to bemanipulated in the mouth more easily.

A first retention pad 14 is formed on a first end of the first arm 12. Afirst deep groove 26 is formed around the periphery of the junctionbetween the first retention pad 14 and the first end of the first arm12. A second retention pad 15 is formed on a first end of the second arm13. A second deep groove 28 is formed around the periphery of thejunction between the second retention pad 15 and a first end of thesecond arm 13. The first retention pad 14 and first arm 12 arepreferably a single molded piece. The second retention pad 15 and secondarm 13 are also preferably a single molded piece. It is also possible toattach the first retention pad 14 to the first arm 12 and attach thesecond retention 15 to the second arm 13 with any suitable assemblyprocess.

FIG. 4a shows an enlarged view of the junction between the firstretention pad 14 and the first end of the first arm 12 or the junctionbetween the second retention pad 15 and the first end of the second arm13. The bottom of the first and second deep grooves are less than thediameter of the floss 16 such that the floss is securely pinched at thebottom of the first and second deep grooves.

With reference to FIG. 5, the shape at the bottom of the first andsecond deep grooves are preferably rectangular with round corners. Therectangular shape makes it more difficult for the floss string 16 to bepulled out of the deep groove 26. The round corners prevent the floss 16from being sheared off in the first and second deep grooves. The stringhole 24 is preferably formed adjacent the first retention pad 14. An endof the floss string 16 is inserted through the string hole 24. Thestring hole 24 is preferably located adjacent the first retention pad 14to reduce the amount of dexterity required to wrap the floss string 16around the first deep groove 26.

With reference to FIG. 6, the cutting notch 18 is located on a secondend of the handle 10. The cutting notch 18 preferably includes a firstknife edge 30 and a second knife edge 32. With reference to FIG. 7, thefirst and second knife edges have a V-shaped cross-section. A raisedarea 36 is formed on the second end of the handle 10 adjacent thecutting notch 18 to prevent possible injury to user from accidentlyscraping the cutting notch 18. The first knife edge 30 is formed on thesecond end of the handle 10. The second knife edge 32 extends from aknife ledge 34. The knife ledge 34 extends from the second end of thehandle 10. The first and second knife edges are disposed to form atapered cutting area 38.

The distance between the first and second knife edges at the opening ofthe tapered cutting area 38 are sufficient to facilitate insertion of afloss string 16. The first and second knife edges meet each other at theend of the tapered cutting area 38. Other devices for cutting the flossstring 16 may also be used besides the cutting notch 18, such as aseparate cutting device fabricated from metal and attached to thehandle. After a length of floss string 16 has been used, it is cut-offon the cutting notch 18.

A preferable method of securing the floss 16 to the first and secondarms follows. First, the flossing tool 1 is grasped by the dominant handand a sufficient length of floss 16 is pulled out of the first arm 12with the other hand. Second, the floss 16 is wrapped around the firstdeep groove 26 at least twice. Third, the unwrapped floss is pulledtight and wrapped around the second groove 28 at least twice.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the invention inits broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is tocover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spiritand scope of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A flossing tool comprising: a handle having a first end anda second end; a first arm extending outward from a first end of saidhandle, a second arm extending outward from a first end of said handleadjacent said first arm, said first and second arms extending away fromeach other; a first retention pad extending from a first end of saidfirst arm, a second retention pad extending from a first end of saidsecond arm, a first deep groove being formed between said firstretention pad and said first arm, a second deep groove being formedbetween said second retention pad and said second arm, a bottom of saiddeep grooves having a rectangular shaped perimeter with round corners;and a supply of floss string being contained with in said handle, saidfloss string exiting through a string hole in one of said arms.
 2. Theflossing tool of claim 1, further comprising: said first and second armshaving a curvature along their lengths relative to a top of said handleto reduce the amount of dexterity required to use said flossing tool. 3.The flossing tool of claim 1, wherein: a bottom of said deep grooveshaving a width which is less than the diameter of said floss such thatsaid floss is securely pinched at said bottom of said deep grooves. 4.The flossing tool of claim 1, wherein: said string hole being locatedadjacent one of said retention pads to reduce the amount of dexterityrequired to wrap said floss string around one of said deep grooves. 5.The flossing tool of claim 1, wherein: a cutting notch being disposed onsaid second end of said handle.
 6. The flossing tool of claim 1, furthercomprising: a grip being disposed on a first end of said handle.
 7. Theflossing tool of claim 1 wherein: said flossing tool being fabricatedfrom two halves.
 8. A flossing tool comprising: a handle having a firstend and a second end; a first arm extending outward from a first end ofsaid handle, a second arm extending outward from a first end of saidhandle adjacent said first arm, said first and second arms extendingaway from each other; a first retention pad extending from a first endof said first arm, a second retention pad extending from a first end ofsaid second arm, a first deep groove being formed between said firstretention pad and said first end, a second deep groove being formedbetween said second retention pad and said second end, a bottom of saiddeep grooves having a rectangular shaped perimeter with round corners;and a supply of floss string being contained with in said handle, saidfloss string exiting through a string hole in said first arm.
 9. Theflossing tool of claim 8, further comprising: said first and second armshaving a curvature along their lengths relative to a top of said handleto reduce the amount of dexterity required to use said flossing tool.10. The flossing tool of claim 8, wherein: a bottom of said deep grooveshaving a width which is less than the diameter of said floss such thatsaid floss is securely pinched at said bottom of said deep grooves. 11.The flossing tool of claim 8, wherein: said string hole being locatedadjacent said first retention pad to reduce the amount of dexterityrequired to wrap said floss string around said first deep groove. 12.The flossing tool of claim 8, wherein: a cutting notch being disposed onsaid second end of said handle.
 13. The flossing tool of claim 8,further comprising: a grip being disposed on a first end of said handle.14. The flossing tool of claim 8, wherein: said flossing tool beingfabricated from two halves.
 15. A flossing tool comprising: a handlehaving a first end and a second end; a first arm extending outward froma first end of said handle, a second arm extending outward from a firstend of said handle adjacent said first arm, said first and second armsextending away from each other; a first retention pad extending from afirst end of said first arm, a second retention pad extending from afirst end of said second arm, a first deep groove being formed betweensaid first retention pad and said first arm, a second deep groove beingformed between said second retention pad and said second end, a bottomof said deep grooves having a rectangular shaped perimeter with roundcorners, a bottom of said deep grooves having a width which is less thanthe diameter of said floss such that said floss is securely pinched atsaid bottom of said deep grooves; and a supply of floss string beingcontained with in said handle, said floss string exiting through astring hole in said first arm, said string hole being located adjacentsaid first retention pad to reduce the amount of dexterity required tograp said floss string around said first deep groove.
 16. The flossingtool of claim 15, wherein: said first and second arms having a curvaturealong their lengths relative to a top of said handle to reduce theamount of dexterity required to use said flossing tool.
 17. The flossingtool of claim 15, wherein: a cutting notch being disposed on said secondend of said handle.
 18. The flossing tool of claim 15, furthercomprising: a grip being disposed on a first end of said handle.
 19. Theflossing tool of claim 15, wherein: said flossing tool being fabricatedfrom two halves.